Section3 Session 3b: Practical skills and equipment

Activity: Using an MP3 player

Aim: / To develop your skills in using MP3 players and to explore how they can be used in teaching and learning.
Objectives: / By the end of the session you will have:
·  developed your skills and confidence in using an MP3 player
·  inserted a sound file into PowerPoint®.
·  downloaded an MP3 file from the internet
·  explored the uses of an MP3 player in teaching and learning.
Resources: / You will need:
·  a computer or laptop
·  a data projector and associated leads
·  internet (optional).
Time allocated: / 20 to 30 minutes

Task:

·  Record onto the MP3 player

Note: There are two types of MP3 player available for use in this workshop; instructions for both (the Logik and the Safecom) are included here, running with Microsoft Windows® XP Professional operating software. You may want to repurpose these materials to suit your own MP3 and computer environment.

Logik

1.  Insert batteries and turn the MP3 player on.

2.  Select the ‘menu’ button.

3.  Change the option to ‘Record’.

4.  You will see the second counter increasing as you record. The microphone is on the end of the MP3 player.

5.  Make a note of the voice file eg /voice/vo22.wav so that you can find it to download on the computer.

6.  Click ‘menu’ again to stop recording.

7.  Take off the lid to reveal the USB connector.

8.  Plug into a USB socket on the laptop.

9.  Select My Computer, look for the USB drive and search for your sound file.

10.  Double click to hear it play.

11.  To turn off, press and hold the off button.

Note: if the MP3 player does not record, check that it is unlocked.

Safecom

Turn on the player

1.  Press and hold down the Play/Power button to turn on the MP3 player.

2.  The LCD Display will light up with a greeting message.

Prepare to record

3.  Press and hold down the Selection Dial for 3 to 4 seconds to access the Main Menu that will appear as icons on the display screen.

4.  Move the dial to Next to access the Record Mode (REC) icon that will flash when selected.

Make a voice recording

5.  Press the Record button to start recording.

6.  The record number and timer will appear.

7.  Place the Microphone near to the mouth and start speaking normally.

8.  To stop recording, press the Record button again. The recording will be automatically saved.

Play back your recording

9.  To playback the recording on the MP3 player, insert the headphones.

10.  Hold the Selection Dial down for 3 to 4 seconds to access the Main Menu.

11.  Select Playback (RPL), press and hold.

12.  Select the recording you want by moving the dial left or right, then press the Play button.

Download the audio file to the computer

13.  Insert the FireWire connection in the USB Port of the MP3 player.

14.  Insert the USB connection into the USB port on the computer.

15.  The message Initializing will appear on the LCD screen of the MP3 player.

16.  A Connection choice will appear:

o  MP3 Player to Computer.

o  Computer to MP3 Player.

17.  Select MP3 Player to Computer.

Saving the audio file on your PC

18.  Once the USB port is connected to your computer, Windows®) Media Player should open automatically. If not, select Start > All Programs > Windows Media Player). Open the required file and save it to the USB memory provided.

19.  Alternatively, from My Computer, locate the USB player, open the folder to find the audio file and copy it to the USB memory provided.

·  Inserting an audio clip in PowerPoint®

1.  Open PowerPoint® and create a slide.

2.  Select Insert > Movies and Sounds > Sound from File.

3.  Browse to your audio file and click OK.


4.  Choose whether the audio should start Automatically or When Clicked. The music icon will be displayed on the slide and can be moved to any part of the slide.

5.  Add some text to explain what the icon is for and save the file.

E-Guides training programme 2006 – 2007 53